Electronic device for health index measurement and control method of the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention allows easily performing various types of controls and improving productivity without adding a special communication section. The present invention includes a power receiving section  21  to be connected to a driving power supply  50 , a voltage measuring section  22  configured to measure a variation of a power supply voltage that is inputted to the power receiving section  21 , a signal extracting section  23  configured to analyze measured data thereof and to extract a digital code contained in the measured data, and a control section  24  configured to perform a specific control based on the extracted digital code. As the specific control, the control section  24  selects an operation mode corresponding to the digital code from selectively executable plural operation modes, performs a function setting corresponding to the digital code, or writes the digital code as individual information into a nonvolatile memory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic device for measuring ahealth index (also called as vital information) that is mainly a bloodpressure or the like, and a control method of the electronic deviceunder special circumstances.

2. Description of the Related Art

As an example of the electronic device for health index measurement ofthis type, a case of an electronic blood pressure meter will beexplained. In recent years, it has become essential for the electronicblood pressure meter, being accompanied by increase of its performance,to be set to a dedicated operation mode for adjustment or inspectionduring a manufacturing process, an inspection process, or maintenancebesides a normal operation. An example of the dedicated operation modeis a pressure display mode (a test mode to conduct the pressure displayonly) that is used when conducting a pressure inspection.

By the way, switching from a normal pressure measurement mode to a testmode for example should be easily set during a manufacturing process, aninspection process, or maintenance, but then it is needed not to beeasily set to such a mode during a normal using state (a state that itis used in a normal blood pressure measurement mode). In other words, itis needed that an accidental switch of setting should not occur duringnormal use.

Consequently, the test mode is conventionally configured to start up,for example, when the following operations are carried out, which arenormally impossible to happen.

(1) Long Pressing of a Particular Operating Switch Method:

In this method, as shown in FIG. 6, the test mode starts up when a powerswitch is pressed for a predetermined time T or longer.

(2) Special Operation of an Operating Switch Method:

In this method, as shown in FIG. 7, the test mode starts up when aparticular operating switch A is operated for the predetermined numberof times (“n” times) within a predetermined time T.

(3) Simultaneous Operation of Plural Operating Switches Method:

In this method, as shown in FIG. 8, the test mode starts up whenoperating switches A and B are simultaneously operated.

(4) Operation in a Particular Operating State Method:

In this method, as shown in FIG. 9, the test mode starts up when itspower is turned ON in a state that an operating switch A is turned ON.

(5) Combination of the Above Method:

In this method, as shown in FIG. 10, the test mode starts up when itspower is turned ON in a state that operating switches A and B aresimultaneously turned ON and being kept on for a predetermined time T orlonger.

However, all of these conventionally adopted methods (1) to (5) arefocused on preventing a misoperation in a general using state, so that ademand for “easy switching” during a manufacturing process, aninspection process, or maintenance has been sacrificed.

Meanwhile, on many of blood pressure meters in recent years, the numberof operating switches is reduced to minimum for an easiness of operationor cost reduction. For example, there is a model that uses one switchboth as a power ON/OFF switch and a measurement start/stop switch. In acase of such model, it is practically impossible to adopt theabove-described method (3) that is a combinatorial operation of pluraloperating switches. Therefore, for switching to the test mode, thismodel has no choice but to adopt the method (1) of long pressingoperation or the method (4) of synchronous operation in a particulartiming. However, while there is no problem for switching to one testmode, it is necessary to have a highly complicated operation forswitching to other plural operation modes, or it has to abandon theswitching itself to such plural operation modes. Specifically, in manycases, it is not possible to realize, due to the restriction on thenumber of switches, an attempt of providing the plural operation modesother than a normal operation mode, or a need of plural separateoperations in an operation mode other than the normal operation mode.

In addition, the switching operation of operation modes needs to beperformed on each one of manufactured products separately, so that, forexample, when the long pressing of an operating switch method (1) isadopted, with the test mode being set to start up by pressing a powerswitch for two seconds, the switching operation of the operation mode on50 of blood pressure meters takes 2 seconds×50=100 seconds at theminimum. Therefore, it has been a contributing factor to decreaseproduction efficiency in a case of a pressure inspection process or thelike for inspecting plural manufactured products all at once.

Consequently, to solve these disadvantages, such a method is devisedthat a connection terminal for testing is provided on the body of ablood pressure meter, and a dedicated device is externally connected tothis terminal. However, while this method allows many testing operationsto be easily performed externally, it includes a demerit of causing acomplication of the structure and a cost increase since the dedicatedconnection terminal is newly provided on the body of the blood pressuremeter.

In addition, besides these problems about the switching of the operationmode, there have been other problems as follows.

Conventionally, when an individual function setting is respectivelyperformed on separate devices, function selection circuits are providedon electronic circuits of these devices, and the function setting isperformed by switching switches or jumper lines. Otherwise, theindividual function setting is carried out by writing a program into anonvolatile memory. However, in many cases, these methods have arestriction that they can only be implemented in limited processes in amanufacturing stage and of course not after completion of the product.

Also, in recent years, as a technique for recording individualinformation in separate devices (for example, a serial number,information of a place of destination, and so forth), this informationis recorded as electrical information in a nonvolatile memory or thelike, and the opportunity of using this information for automation ofmaintenance or the like is increasing. However, when such individualinformation is to be recorded, it is impossible to write into anonvolatile memory at a finishing stage of a product without connectinga dedicated communication circuit externally, which results in causingdecrease in production efficiency. In addition, it is needless tomention that addition of a dedicated communication port causescomplication of the structure and a cost increase.

As described above, it is conventionally required a lot of time andlabor for switching the setting to an operation mode other than thenormal mode such as the test mode for example, which causes a problem oflow production efficiency when inspecting a large number of devices allat once. In addition, the restriction in inputting or changingindividual information or the like also causes the problem of lowproduction efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention eliminates the above-described problems, and anobject thereof is to provide an electronic device for health indexmeasurement that allows easily performing various types of externalcontrols without adding a special communication section (communicationterminal, communication circuit, or the like), simultaneouslycontrolling plural electronic devices, and externally inputting andchanging individual information or the like easily to thereby improveproduction efficiency, and a control method in special cases for thesame.

An electronic device of an invention of claim 1 comprises a powerreceiving section to be connected to a driving power supply, a voltagemeasuring section configured to measure a variation of a power supplyvoltage that is inputted to the power receiving section, a signalextracting section configured to analyze measured data thereof and toextract a specific signal contained in the measured data, a controlsection configured to perform a specific control based on the signalextracted by the signal extracting section.

In the present invention, a power supply line is used as a communicationline, and a signal is incorporated as a voltage variation pattern in apower supply voltage, so that the electronic device can be externallycontrolled by the signal. Therefore, without adding a specialcommunication section, various types of external controls can be easilyperformed, and a simultaneous control of plural electronic devicesbecomes possible. In addition, an external input and change ofindividual information or the like can be easily performed, andconsequently, productivity thereof can be drastically improved.

As in claim 2, the second control section has a control function ofcontrolling the voltage measuring section, the signal extracting sectionand the first control section to operate and perform a specific controlonly when the switch section is in a predetermined set state, whereby itis not necessary to always supply power to them, and it becomes possibleto reduce power consumption.

As in claim 3, the first control section has a function of performing akind of control selected from plural kinds of specific controls whenreceiving a specific signal from the signal extracting section, and thesecond control section has a function of selecting a kind of control tobe performed in the first control section in accordance with whichswitch section of the plural switch sections is operated and having itexecuted, whereby it becomes possible to perform plural specificcontrols by one kind of signal.

Moreover, as in claim 4, the second control section has a functioncapable of selecting and executing one kind of operation mode, or two ormore kinds of operation modes as an operation mode of this electronicdevice, and has a function of operating the voltage measuring section,the signal extracting section and the first control section to make themperform the specific control only when a specific operation mode isselected out of these operation modes, whereby power consumption can bereduced as in claim 2.

As in claim 5, the second control section has a function capable ofselecting and executing one kind of operation mode, or two or more kindsof operation modes as an operation mode of this electronic device, andhas a function of selecting a kind of control to be performed in thefirst control section in accordance with which operation mode of theseoperation modes is selected and having it executed, whereby it becomespossible to perform plural specific controls by one kind of signal.

The signal is preferably given as a specific time-series variation(pattern), which does not affect the operation of the electronic device,and is not generated under a normal using state for preventing amisoperation. In an invention of claim 6, the signal is given as atime-series variation of a power supply voltage within a range thatassures a normal operation of the electronic device.

Moreover, as the specific control performed by the control section,various types of controls are conceivable. In an invention of claim 7,as the specific control, the control section selects a specificoperation mode corresponding to the signal extracted by the signalextracting section from selectively executable plural operation modes.Accordingly, the plural operation modes can be selectable by preparingplural time-series variation patterns to be given to the power supplyvoltage for instance.

Moreover, in an invention of claim 8, as the specific control, thecontrol section performs a specific function setting corresponding tothe signal extracted by the signal extraction section.

Moreover, in an invention of claim 9, as the specific control, thecontrol section performs writing of the signal extracted by the signalextracting section as individual information into a nonvolatile memory.Here, representative examples of the individual information are a serialnumber and information of a place of destination.

Moreover, in an invention of claim 10, as the specific control, thecontrol section performs writing of an operation program that is givenby the signal extracted by the signal extracting section into anonvolatile memory.

A control method of an electronic device of an invention of claim 11comprises connecting a driving power supply to the power receivingsection of the electronic device for health index measurement describedin any one of claims 1 to 10, and applying from the power supply to thepower receiving section of the electronic device a power supply voltagein which a digital code of a voltage variation pattern that is acombination of a high-level and low-level voltages is incorporated sothat the electronic device performs a specific control based on thedigital code.

Accordingly, with the signal as a digital code being incorporated in thepower supply voltage, extracting of a specific signal can be easilyperformed only by adopting an A/D converter in the voltage measuringsection. Consequently, an external control according to the digital codebecomes possible using a power supply line as a communication linewithout adding a special communication section. In addition, asimultaneous control of plural electronic devices also becomes possible,so that productivity thereof can be drastically improved.

In the control method of an invention of claim 12, in claim 11, thedriving power supply has a function for selectively incorporating anyone of plural digital codes in the power supply voltage, and theelectronic device performs a control corresponding to the incorporateddigital code. Accordingly, various types of external controls can beeasily performed.

In the control method of an invention of claim 13, in claim 11, thedriving power supply has a function for incorporating an inputtedoptional digital code to the power supply voltage, and the electronicdevice performs a control corresponding to the incorporated digitalcode. Accordingly, registering individual information such as a serialnumber and the like to the electronic device and setting an individualfunction to the electronic device can be easily performed.

In the control method of an invention of claim 14, in any one of claims11 to 13, the driving power supply sets a low level voltage period witha predetermined length before an incorporating period of the digitalcode, the low level voltage being higher than the minimum operatingvoltage of the electronic device, and after the low level voltageperiod, the digital code that begins with a high level voltage isincorporated.

Accordingly, by providing the predetermined low level voltage periodbefore the incorporating period of the digital code, a malfunction dueto an initial voltage drop can be prevented. Specifically, the low levelis retained for a predetermined period of time, and further, the digitalcode is formed on an increase side of a voltage, so that if a rapidvoltage drop or a chattering of the voltage occurs just after turning onthe power particularly when an AC adapter or the like is used for thepower supply, an accidental false recognition of the digital code doesnot happen, thereby allowing a reliable control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the present invention showing anexample of a variation pattern of a power supply voltage;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the present invention showing arelationship between a variation of a supplied power supply voltage anda digital code;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the present invention showing aconfiguration for simultaneously switching operation modes of pluralelectronic blood pressure meters by a power supply capable of inputtingplural digital codes;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the present invention showing aconfiguration for writing a serial number into an electronic bloodpressure meter by a power supply capable of inputting an optionaldigital code by an operation of a keyboard;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a first conventional operationexample for starting up a test mode;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a second conventional operationexample for starting up the test mode;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a third conventional operationexample for starting up the test mode;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a fourth conventional operationexample for starting up the test mode; and

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a fifth conventional operationexample for starting up the test mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be explainedbased on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic blood pressure meter 10as an electronic device of the embodiment. As basic components for bloodpressure measurement, this electronic blood pressure meter 10 includes acuff 11 for wrapping an artery passage portion (measuring portion) suchas an upper arm or a wrist of a person to be measured, a pressure sensor12 and a pressure measuring circuit 13 for detecting the pressure insidethe cuff 11, a pressure pump 14 for introducing pressurized air into thecuff 11, an electronic control valve 15 for discharging the pressurizedair inside the cuff 11, a CPU (control device) 16 (second controlsection) for performing various types of controls, a display 17 such asa liquid crystal display, and operating switches 18 such as a powerswitch, a start switch and the like. The blood pressure meter 10measures a blood pressure from a variation of the inner pressure of thecuff 11, the variation being generated through a process includingwrapping the measuring portion such as an upper arm or a wrist or thelike by the cuff 11, introducing pressurized air into an airbag insidethe cuff 11 to stop the blood flow to the peripheral portion once bypressing the measuring portion, and thereafter, gradually decreasing theinner pressure inside the cuff 11.

Here, the pressure sensor 12 outputs a pulse whose frequency variesaccording to the pressure value inside the cuff 11, and the pressuremeasuring circuit 13 converts the output of the pressure sensor 12 intoa digital value and inputs it to the CPU 16. Incidentally, in a case ofa one-chip CPU, the pressure measuring circuit 13 can be constructed byan internal circuit and software. The pressure pump 14 carries out afunction for increasing the inner pressure of the cuff 11 to apredetermined pressure by a control from the CPU 16. By a control fromthe CPU 16, the electronic control discharge valve 15 works to decrease(discharge) the inner pressure of the cuff 11 by a constant speed duringa blood pressure measurement, and to rapidly decrease the inner pressureafter the measurement is completed. The CPU 16 controls all theprocesses of the blood pressure measurement operation based on anoperation program stored in advance.

Besides these basic components for blood pressure measurement, the bloodpressure meter 10 includes a power receiving section 21 to be connectedto a driving power supply 50, a voltage measuring section 22 configuredto measure a variation of a power supply voltage that is inputted to thepower receiving section 21, a signal extracting section 23 configured toanalyze the measured data and to extract a specific signal contained inthe measured data, a control section 24 (first control section)configured to perform a specific control based on the signal extractedby the signal extracting section 23, and a power supply circuit 25configured to supply power with necessary voltage from the suppliedvoltage to each circuit.

The power receiving section 21 includes a power supply connectingterminal such as a battery terminal or an AC adapter jack for example.The power measuring section 22 includes a level converting circuit 26and an A/D converter 27. The level converting circuit 26 is a one calledas attenuator, and carries out a function for converting a power supplyvoltage that is supplied to the blood pressure meter 10 to a possibleinput level of the A/D converter 27. Incidentally, when the power supplyvoltage supplied in advance is at the possible input level of the A/Dconverter 27, the level converting circuit 26 can be omitted. The A/Dconverter 27 performs A/D conversion of the power supply voltage valuesupplied to the blood pressure meter 10 by a predetermined time periodTs that is faster than a time-series variation contained in the powersupply voltage, and inputs the converted power supply voltage value tothe CPU 16. This A/D converter 27 can also be internally constructedwhen the one-chip CPU is adopted.

The signal extracting section 23 analyzes a time-series variationpattern contained in the supplied power supply voltage from time-seriesmeasured data of the power supply voltage supplied to the blood pressuremeter 11 to thereby extract a digital code. When a digital code isdetected, the digital code is inputted to the control section 24. Thecontrol section 24 performs a control corresponding to the digital codesent from the signal extracting section 23. This control includes{circle around (1)} selection and execution of an operation mode(including a test mode for example), {circle around (2)} setting of anindividual function, {circle around (3)} writing of an individualinformation such as a serial number or the like, {circle around (4)}writing of a program, and so forth. Here, the signal extracting section23 and the control section 24 are realized mainly by software of the CPU16.

Next, a method for performing an external control using a power supplyline will be explained.

To perform the external control of the electronic blood pressure meter11, a time-series variation pattern is given to the power supply voltagethat is supplied to the electronic blood pressure meter 11 by adedicated external device (considered to be contained in the powersupply 50 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1). In this case, the powersupply voltage containing the time-series variation pattern can besupplied individually to a single blood pressure meter 11, or suppliedsimultaneously to plural blood pressure meters.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the variation of the power supply voltage inwhich a digital code is incorporated. The power supply voltage isretained between the minimum operating voltage that assures a normalmeasuring operation of the electronic blood pressure meter 10 and arated voltage, and a time-series voltage variation pattern corresponsiveto the digital code is incorporated in the power supply voltagetherebetween. Specifically, the digital code is incorporated in apattern of rising and falling between an H-level and an L-level having athreshold level at the center. When the power supply 50 capable ofincorporating such a digital code is connected to the power receivingsection 21 of the electronic blood pressure meter 10, power supplyvoltage data are A/D converted by the A/D converter 26 at apredetermined interval of time and are inputted to the signal extractingsection 23. The signal extracting section 23 analyzes the inputted databased on the threshold level that is provided in advance, judges whetherit is high-level (H) or low-level (L), and extracts a digital codecomposed of a high and low combination when the digital code isincorporated therein. Incidentally, the H-level and the L-levelcorresponsive to the digital code and the threshold level that is ajudging standard thereof are set to appropriate values to surely takeeffect within the range of an operable power supply voltage for theelectronic blood pressure meter 10.

Here, for preventing a malfunction due to an initial voltage drop, thereis provided a time period (low level voltage period) to surely retainthe L-level for a predetermined period before incorporating a digitalcode, and after the time period, a digital code that begins with a highlevel voltage is incorporated. Accordingly, if a rapid voltage drop or achattering of the voltage occurs just after turning on the powerparticularly when an AC adapter is used for the power supply, anaccidental false recognition of the digital code does not happen.

Incidentally, FIG. 2 is showing a case of inputting the digital codejust after the power is turned on, but also in a case of inputting thedigital code in a state that the power is already turned on, a good wayto prevent a false recognition is to decrease the power supply voltageto the L-level once, retain the L-level period for a predetermined time,and input the digital code that begins with a high level voltage. Inaddition, by adding an error detecting code such as a checksum to thedigital code, reliability of the communication can be further increased.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a concrete example of a method for judging highand low of the power supply voltage and the digital code. In thisexample, in the signal extracting section 23, a first threshold levelTHLH for judging a variation from the low level (L) to the high level(H), and a second threshold level THHL for judging a variation from thehigh level (H) to the low level (L) (Note: THLH>THHL) are set inadvance, where sampling data are judged as either high or low based onthese threshold levels THLH and THHL. For example, the data is judged ashigh (H) when it goes higher than the THLH from the downside of theTHLH, and the data is judged as low (L) when it goes lower than the THHLfrom the upside of the THHL. Accordingly, reliability of judging signalimproves.

In either case, when one or more digital code is extracted from thesupplied power supply voltage, the control according to the digital codeis performed. For example, when plural operation modes are registered inadvance, an operation mode is set according to the digital code.

FIG. 4 is showing an example of performing a switching of operation modeby an external control. On a body part 60A of a power supply 60 capableof outputting a digital code, there are provided three types ofoperating switches A to C, and by operating the operating switches A toC, three types of digital code patterns A to C can be incorporatedseparately in a power supply voltage. For example, when the operatingswitch A is operated, a digital code of pattern A is outputted, when theoperating switch B is operated, a digital code of pattern B isoutputted, and when the operating switch C is operated, a digital codeof pattern C is outputted.

When this power supply 60 is connected to the electronic blood pressuremeter 10 and any one of the operating switches A to C is operated, onedigital code from predetermined patterns A to C corresponding to thisoperation can be inputted to the electronic blood pressure meter 10.Therefore, when an operation mode corresponding to the digital code isregistered in the electronic blood pressure meter 10, this operationmode can be automatically started up only by connecting the power supply60. For example, when a test mode is registered in advance and a digitalcode for instructing the test mode is incorporated in the power supplyvoltage, the test mode can be started up only by connecting the powersupply 60. In this way, since other complicated operations areunnecessary, the same operation mode can be easily and simultaneouslyset to a plurality of the electronic blood pressure meter 10. Inaddition, by registering plural operation modes besides the normaloperation mode in the electronic blood pressure meter 10, its settingcan be switched to any one of these operation modes.

Moreover, by using a power supply having plural output sectionsindependent to one another and being capable of outputting individualdigital codes to each of the output sections, it is possible to set anindividual operation mode on each of the electronic blood pressuremeters which is connected to each of the output sections.

Moreover, when a personal computer having a dedicated software forexternally controlling the electronic blood pressure meter is connectedto the body part of the power supply, and it is configured that anarbitrary digital code can be inputted from the personal computer, it ispossible to make the electronic blood pressure meter to perform varioustypes of controls by, for example, changing the software in the personalcomputer without requiring to change the main part of the power supply.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, when operating switches 72 such as akeyboard for externally controlling the electronic blood pressure meteris connected to a body part 70A of a power supply 70 and an arbitrarydigital code can be inputted from the operating switches 72 such as akeyboard, it is possible to make the electronic blood pressure meter 10to perform various types of controls, for example, according to aninputted digital code from the operating switches 72 such as a keyboardwithout requiring to change the main part of the power supply.

For example, by outputting a digital code pattern corresponding to theoperation of the operating switches 72 such as a keyboard from theoutput section of the power supply 70, it is possible to set anindividual function to each electronic blood pressure meter 10, or towrite individual information such as a serial number, information of aplace of destination, and so forth into a nonvolatile memory inside theelectronic blood pressure meter 10. Consequently, even after completionof the product, setting/changing of the individual function orwriting/changing of the individual information such as a serial numberand so forth becomes possible.

Moreover, a measurement program can be registered or changed in theelectronic blood pressure meter 10 by inputting the digital code. Forexample, it can be used for inputting or changing the measurementprogram in a portable electronic blood pressure meter, which performsthe measurement of blood pressure at predetermined intervals of timebased on the measurement program inputted in advance, memories theresults, and thereafter analyzes a diurnal variation of the bloodpressure value or the like.

Moreover, a portable electronic blood pressure meter of this typedivides a time period up to 24 hours (one day) or 48 hours (two days) atthe maximum into plural time period blocks (a daytime period and anighttime period for example), and sets a measurement intervals (timeintervals) in each of the time periods in order to observe the diurnalblood pressure variation of a subject. This portable electronic bloodpressure meter automatically performs the blood pressure measurement atpredetermined intervals of time based on a “measurement program”inputted in advance to designate time periods and measurement intervals.Generally, a portable blood pressure meter of this type is used in acombination of a body of the blood pressure meter and an analysisdevice. The analysis device is a device for inputting the measurementprogram to the blood pressure meter or for extracting a measured resultstored in the blood pressure meter from the blood pressure meter andanalyzing the measured result, and is configured with a dedicatedmachine or a personal computer having dedicated software, and adedicated interface device that connects the analysis device and thebody of the blood pressure meter. In this case, a communication linebetween the analysis device and the body of the blood pressure meterneeds to be a duplex specification. When the present invention isimplemented on the program input from the analysis device to the body ofthe blood pressure meter, the communication line between the analysisdevice and the body of the blood pressure meter can be a simplex ofoutput only. Since a dedicated duplex line is conventionally used forthe communication with the analysis device, the implementation of thepresent invention making this line simplex can contribute to decreasethe cost.

Incidentally, while the above embodiment explains a case that, whenswitching the operation mode, the mode switching of the electronic bloodpressure meter is performed automatically only by inputting the digitalcode from the power supply, it may also be configured to perform themode switching by a combination of the digital code input and otheroperations. This point similarly applies to the function setting, theindividual information writing, and the like.

Moreover, the CPU 16 (the second control section) for performing variouskinds of controls is configured to have a control function ofcontrolling the voltage measuring section 22, the signal extractingsection 23, and the control section 24 (the first control section) forperforming a specific control to operate and perform a specific controlonly when the switch section such as the operating switch 18 is in apredetermined set state, whereby it is not necessary to always supplypower to them, and it becomes possible to reduce power consumption.

Moreover, the control section 24 (the first control section) forperforming the specific control is configured to have a function ofperforming a kind of control selected from plural kinds of specificcontrols when receiving a specific signal from the signal extractingsection 23, and the CPU 16 (the second control section) for performingvarious kinds of controls is configured to have a function of selectinga kind of control to be performed in the control section 24 (the firstcontrol section) in accordance with which switch section of pluralswitch sections such as, for example, the operation switch 18 isoperated and having it executed, whereby it becomes possible to performplural specific controls by one kind of signal.

Moreover, the CPU 16 (the second control section) for performing variouskinds of controls is configured to have a function capable of selectingand executing one kind of operation mode, or two or more kinds ofoperation modes as an operation mode of this electronic device, and isconfigured to have a function of operating the voltage measuring section22, the signal extracting section 23 and the control section 24 (thefirst control section) for performing the specific control to make themperform the aforesaid specific control only when a specific operationmode is selected out of these operation modes, whereby it becomespossible to reduce power consumption.

Moreover, the CPU 16 (the second control section) for performing variouskinds of controls is configured to have a function of capable ofselecting and executing one kind of operation mode, or two or more kindsof operation modes as an operation mode of this electronic device, andis configured to have a function of selecting a kind of control to beperformed in the control section 24 (the first control section) inaccordance with which operation mode of these operation modes isselected and having it executed, whereby it becomes possible to performplural specific controls by one kind of signal.

In this case, the operation mode means the operation mode in which aspecific pressure value is applied, or the operation mode in which thepressure is applied with a specific variation pattern, for example, inthe case of a blood pressure meter. Or, it means the mode, in which thepressure value in a certain range is applied. Furthermore, it means themode in which the pressure value applied to the blood pressure meterrises or lowers in a specific pressure range. Or, it means the mode inwhich the pressure value applied to the blood pressure meter changes ata rising speed or a lowering speed in a certain range.

As described above, the control with use of the operation modes can beeffectively utilized on the occasion of an air leakage test of a bloodpressure meter, for example. Namely, this test makes evaluation byconnecting an air tank of a fixed capacity to the blood pressure meter,applying the pressure value corresponding to the maximum pressureindication value of the blood pressure meter after closing an exhaustvalve, leaving this for a fixed time while monitoring the pressureindication value after stopping the pressure supply, and finding whetheror not the pressure indication value lowers more than a predeterminedrange.

A concrete example, in which the method of performing a control by usingthe above-described operation modes is applied to the above-describedtest, is as follows. It is assumed to construct a system which performsthe control such that “when a specific signal (pattern 1) is inputted atthe time of the indicated pressure >10 mmHg, the exhaust valve is closedafter air is evacuated for a fixed time,” and “when the specific signal(pattern 1) is inputted at the time of the indicated pressure <10 mmHg,air is evacuated,” for example. Thereupon, first, when the specificsignal (pattern 1) is inputted in a state in which the applied pressureis 0 mmHg (not more than 10 mmHg), the exhaust valve of the bloodpressure meter is closed after a lapse of a predetermined time, and whenthe specific signal (pattern 1) is inputted in the state until theapplied pressure value reaches a predetermined pressure value (duringpressurization), during the air leakage test with pressure supply beingstopped, and after the air leakage test (10 mmHg or more in each state),the exhaust valve of the blood pressure meter is opened, and evacuationof air is performed.

Moreover, the system as follows is assumed. Namely, it is assumed toconstruct the system which performs the control such that “when thespecific signal (pattern 1) is inputted at the pressure rising speed ≠apredetermined rising speed range, air is evacuated and an alarmindication is performed” and “when the specific signal (pattern 1) isinputted at the pressure lowering speed ≠a predetermined lowering speedrange, air is evacuated and an alarm indication is performed.”Thereupon, first, the specific signal (pattern 1) is inputted at eachfixed interval, whereby in the case in which an extraordinary pressurerise caused by clogging in an air circuit, or insufficient pressurerising speed due to puncture of the air circuit occurs during apressurizing operation, and when the predetermined signal (pattern 1) isinputted in the state in which the pressure rising speed deviates fromthe predetermined range, the test is stopped and air is evacuated, andthe corresponding alarm indication is made.

Moreover, in a pressure lowering speed test and the like, when thepredetermined signal (pattern 1) is inputted in the state in which thepressure value lowers at the air evacuating speed which deviates fromthe predetermined range during a constant-speed air evacuatingoperation, the test is stopped and air is evacuated, and thecorresponding alarm indication is made. In this manner, a differentoperation control is made possible for each test state by one controlsignal pattern, as a result of which, the manufacturing facility can besimplified.

As has been described above, according to the present invention, thefollowing advantages are achieved:

(1) A power input line is used as a control signal line, so that anexternal control of a device can be realized with low cost withouthaving a dedicated communication line besides the power supply system.For example, when an A/D converter is used for battery remainingdetection, a battery remaining detection circuit can be used as avoltage measuring section as it is, so that the external control of adevice can be realized only by adding software;

(2) Since a special communication circuit is not required, it is notnecessary to newly provide a connection port for communicating with anexternal device, so that complication of the structure and increase ofthe cost can be avoided;

(3) A power supply voltage itself is used as the control signal, so thatit is not necessary to provide a complicated modulation circuit or ademodulation circuit such as a means for overlapping a high-frequencysignal for example on both sides of sending and receiving the controlsignal. An input device of the control signal is simply achieved byinstalling a control circuit of output voltage in an external powersupply device;

(4) It is possible to simultaneously control plural devices, so that,for example, a switching operation to a dedicated inspection mode for apressure inspection process can be efficiently performed in a shortperiod of time. In addition, an operation control according to actualinspection process becomes possible in a state that the setting isswitched to the inspection mode, so that productivity can be drasticallyimproved; and

(5) Even after completion of the product, it is possible to set afunction separately on each of the products and to set (write)individual information such as a serial number on each of the products.Accordingly, when manufacturing plural products of the same model buthaving different individual specifications, the products conventionallycannot be in a completed state until a final product specification isdetermined for each of the product, but when the present invention isused, the products can be in a completed state all at once even beforethe final product specification is determined, and thereafter,individual function setting and individual information registering canbe performed, so that improvement of productivity can be expected.

1-14. (canceled) 15: An electronic device for health index measurement,comprising: a power receiving section that receives a power supplyvoltage, in which a digital code for performing a specific control isincorporated so that a low level voltage period of a predeterminedlength and higher than a minimum operating voltage of an electronicdevice is set before a period of incorporating the digital code, andsaid digital code begins with a high-level voltage after said low-levelvoltage period, and is expressed by a variation pattern of a combinationof a high-level voltage and a low-level voltage; a voltage measuringsection configured to measure a variation of a power supply voltage thatis inputted to said power receiving section; a signal extracting sectionconfigured to analyze measured data and to extract said digital codecontained in the measured data; and a first control section configuredto perform said specific control based on said digital code extracted bysaid signal extracting section. 16: An electronic device for healthindex measurement, according to claim 15, further comprising: a secondcontrol section configured to perform a control for health indexmeasurement and other necessary controls; and a switch sectionconfigured to transmit a switching signal and other signals to eachsection by a predetermined setting operation, wherein said secondcontrol section has a control function of controlling said voltagemeasuring section, said signal extracting section and said first controlsection to operate and perform a specific control only when said switchsection is in a predetermined set state. 17: An electronic device forhealth index measurement according to claim 15 further comprising: asecond control section configured to perform a control for health indexmeasurement and other necessary controls; wherein said second controlsection has a function capable of selecting and executing one kind ofoperation mode, or two or more kinds of operation modes as an operationmode of said electronic device, and has a function of operating saidvoltage measuring section, said signal extracting section and said firstcontrol section to make them perform said specific control only when aspecific operation mode is selected out of these operation modes. 18:The electronic device for health index measurement according to claim15, wherein said digital code is given as a time-series variation of apower supply voltage within a range that assures a normal operation ofsaid electronic device. 19: The electronic device for health indexmeasurement according to claim 15, wherein plural kinds of said digitalcode are prepared, said first control section has plural operation modescorresponding to the plural kinds of digital code, and selects andexecutes a specific operation mode corresponding to the kind of digitalcode extracted by said signal extracting section. 20: The electronicdevice for health index measurement according to claim 19, wherein theoperation mode is a mode in which function setting is performed. 21: Theelectronic device for health index measurement according to claim 15,wherein said first control section has a function of writing saiddigital code extracted by said signal extracting section into anonvolatile memory as individual information. 22: The electronic devicefor health index measurement according to claim 15, wherein said firstcontrol section has a function of writing an operation program that isgiven by said digital code extracted by said signal extracting sectioninto a nonvolatile memory. 23: A control method of an electronic devicefor health index measurement, comprising: connecting a driving powersupply for supplying the power supply voltage to said power receivingsection of the electronic device for health index measurement accordingto claim 15; and applying from said power supply to said power receivingsection of said electronic device a power supply voltage in which saiddigital code is incorporated, so that said electronic device performs aspecific control based on the digital code. 24: The control method ofthe electronic device for health index measurement according to claim23, comprising: said driving power supply for supplying the power supplyvoltage incorporating said digital code in said power supply voltage.